Hong Kong Airport to enhance safety measures for driverless trains: Here's why you need to know

Authorities have directed Hong Kong International Airport to strengthen safety protocols for its driverless train system following an incident last year in which a young girl fell into the platform gap but was quickly rescued by fellow passengers.

The accident occurred in November 2023 when a girl, approximately five or six years old, stepped into the gap between the platform and a carriage while boarding the airport's automated people mover (APM).

The Airport Authority conducted an internal investigation and found no evidence of a cover-up but acknowledged lapses in staff vigilance and procedural clarity. Disciplinary actions were taken against staff who failed to report or document the incident properly.

The authority admitted deficiencies in its APM Operation and Emergency Procedure Manual, as well as inadequate communication and alertness among frontline personnel.

Following a government review of the investigation report, the Airport Authority has been instructed to implement comprehensive safety measures.

These include:

Updating the emergency procedure manual to address gaps in reporting and communication.

Providing enhanced staff training to improve incident response and documentation.

Appointing a dedicated department to manage investigations and follow-ups for APM-related safety issues.

Upgrading the platform's CCTV coverage to improve monitoring, with enhancements expected by March 2025.

The Airport Authority has also completed a project to narrow the platform gap as of June 2024, further reducing risks.

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has confirmed the APM system's design and operational safety.

The department added that the measures, including the narrowed platform gap and improved CCTV coverage, would significantly mitigate the likelihood of similar incidents.

The government has pledged to closely monitor the implementation of these measures to ensure passenger safety and prevent future occurrences.

Staff training sessions to reinforce incident reporting mechanisms are scheduled to begin next month.